बुक्सर: Taking a strict view of continued disregard for judicial directives and negligence in duty, the district appellate authority on Friday imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the district education officer, Buxar. The order was passed by presiding officer (administrative) Ajay Kumar Pandey during a hearing. The authority observed the officer failed to file a rejoinder despite repeated opportunities, terming the conduct arbitrary and indisciplined.The penalty relates to negligence in two appeal cases. Official records show multiple notices, reminders and show-cause notices were issued to the district education officer between 2023 and 2026. In the first case, five notices were sent between 2024 and 2025, while in the second case, nine notices were issued between Feb 2023 and March 2026. A final show-cause notice dated March 24, 2026, also went unanswered.Calling the conduct an obstruction to the judicial process, the authority invoked powers under the Bihar State Educational Institutions (Teachers and Employees) Rules, 2020. It ordered deduction of Rs 25,000 per case from the officer’s salary, to be deposited in the govt account.The district treasury officer and district program officer (establishment) have been directed to ensure compliance. Copies of the order have also been sent to the additional chief secretary, education department, the director (primary education), and the district magistrate, Buxar, for necessary action.
